As Irma heads to Florida, Houston is in the early stages of picking up the wet pieces and trying to look forward to sunshine filled and dry days.

One area that is affected nationwide after a disaster like major Hurricanes is building supplies.

Building time frames will get longer in Arizona, and other states not affected by Harvey and Irma.

Suppliers prioritize their materials to those locations hit hardest. (and it is mandated by the government that they do) Builders in other areas and states have delays in their construction due to lack of materials. This also means that the builders don’t require as many employees to just hang around and wait to swing their hammer. The combination of lack of materials and fewer on hand workers result in delayed construction build times.

If you are already contracted with a builder for your new home, plan on your closing date being pushed out. If you are about to have a builder start your home, and they previously informed you of a 5-7 month build time. That just got extended to 7-9 months.

The builder purchase contract has a clause to allow them up to 2 years to get your home built. Now they don’t want to take that long, but they have the right to. That clause exists for times like these.

Many of the construction workers will leave states where they have resided and move temporarily to the areas that have been ravaged by nature. Creating another challenge of not enough construction workers available when the supplies are once again readily available.

Our prayers and donations are directed to helping so many recover from unimaginable loss.

The newest Pulte Active Adult Living Community is Lone Tree. Located in Chandler, the small community of only 72 homes, is adjacent to the older Pulte communities of Solera and Springfield Lakes which adjoin the Lone Tree Golf Course. Lone Tree is unique, not only for its’ intimate size, but that the only amenity besides being gated, is a reduction in fees to use the Lone Tree Golf Course. The residents will not have reciprocal use of the Solera/Springfield Lakes clubhouses and amenities. The target homeowner is one who may still be working in the valley or perhaps with already established community activities and who just wants age restrictive surroundings, the security of a gated community and a beautiful new Pulte home. The first residents will be moving into their new homes in April of 2016 and community completion is expected within the year.

Trilogy at Verde River, originaly the Vista Verde development was to be the third of the “Verdes”. It was sold in 2014, in its’ infant stage, as growth had stalled during the real estate downturn. The golf course was renamed The Tegavah Course, inspired by the Yavapai word for “Gathering Place”. Shea builders are the buyers and Trilogy is their main Active Adult Community product. Trilogy at Verde River started selling in late 2015, the main clubhouse will break ground in 2016. The facilities and homes, according to real estate rumors, are going to exceed anything Shea has previously built. The setting alone will contribute to deserving that accolade. As the newest active adult community in the north-east valley in decades, it will be highly publicized. On a recent drive-by we saw lots of activity. If you would like to be kept current on this community, let us know.

Located west of Luke Air Force Base, south of the White Tank Mountains and north of I-10 in Buckeye, Victory is the newest Active Adult Community in the southwest Valley of The Sun.

It is located in the all age master planned community of Verrado. The concept of locating a 55+ Active Adult Community within a multi-generational one is not new, but is gaining rapidly in popularity. Victory offers the home designs of four different builders.

Each of the builders is well established in Arizona and each emphasizes a different lifestyle.

Standard Pacific designs a home with the kitchen and the activity it creates encouraged to flow to the outdoors and utilizes the great room concept to facilitate this.

T.W.Lewis features what they call Open Concept Living. This utilizes the courtyards and patios as part of the living space. They are known for their attention to detail and luxurious lifestyles.

Lennar is featuring their Next Gen living style. They have created a perfect two family integrated but separate home! This is so much in demand with today’s return to a multiple family lifestyle with two generations back under one roof.

Maracay has created the Freedom Line, with split masters, wider hallways and doorways and more conveniently placed appliances to meet the needs of a handicapped family member.

With the four builders, Victory truly offers something for every over 55 person looking to continue living their active lifestyle in a resort setting.

CantaMia is another great example of locating an Active Adult Community within or adjacent to a multigenerational community. It offers the opportunity for the 55+ family members to enjoy their extensive exclusive Active Adult facilities as well as share the additional recreational activities with their families who live in the Estrella ranch community. This I think is the best of both worlds. It is also interesting to see that as families in Estrella grow and reach the empty nest stage, they are purchasing in the adjacent CantaMia!

CantaMia was designed by Engle Homes, but no construction was started. It was saved from bankruptcy by Joseph Carl Builders, who then joined with Avatar homes (AVHI on the NASDAQ) under the name of Vitalia by AV Homes. The total number of homes when built out will reach 1700, a fairly small community by some standards. The recreational activities however are equal to those of the much larger communities. The 29,000 sq ft Village Center has indoor and outdoor pools, a beautifully equipped demonstration kitchen, an excellent variety of exercise and activity centers as well as a mini café and wine bar. The workout room boasts a cushy bamboo floor and the computer room and fitness center have instructors from Estrella Community College. The common areas use reclaimed water for irrigation in keeping with their entire energy saving theme. There are 14 model homes to guide your home choice, with emphasis being on their Green building techniques. Check the current prices on our website. The builder is a member of the Environments For Living, and is a Green Certified Builder. The homes have been tested for efficient use of utilities and are awarded very high scores. All homes include solar as an energy source. In keeping with the Green living, the exercise, cooking and activity programs are designed to encourage healthy life choices. CantaMia’s Sierra Estrella Mountain views and many lakes provide a tranquil and relaxing setting in which to enjoy your healthy retirement.

Sun City Anthem at Merrill Ranch in Florence is an active adult community with extensive amenities within the new Anthem at Merrill Ranch master plan community. The master planned community combines three separate communities. The residents will have the choice of using their own 55+ age restricted facilities or those of the other, larger Merrill Ranch communities. It is a great solution for adults who wish to be near their families, while still having the ability to their leisure with other adults. The sister Sun Cities in Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West and Sun City Grand are recognized as having superior facilities and amenities. Sun City Anthem will be an equal of it’s other sisters.

PebbleCreek is one of Robson’s Resort Communities. Robson is listed in the top 100 builders and this community is on the list of the top 100 best master planned communities in the country. The amenities fulfill all of your resort requirements. Much of the resort lifestyle centers around the two 18 hole golf clubs, the Eagle’s Nest and Tuscany Falls. The clubhouses and recreation centers are beautifully equipped and offer a tremendous variety of activities, with more than 70 clubs directed at specific interests! There are restaurants ranging from elegant to coffee shops. There are pools, courts, a performing arts theatre, a ballroom and many multi-purpose activity rooms. The new Sports & Aquatics center has indoor and outdoor pool, pickle ball, tennis and a very well equipped fitness center.

Construction in this gated community began in 1994. The build out will reach over 6000 homes. At present there are just over 4000 homes completed. Robson is offering from a selection of 10 model homes.

Sundance located in Buckeye is a Master Planned Community. It was opened in 2002 and is expected to continue sales until it reaches its 7000 home build out. Located between the Estrella and White Tank Mountains its multiple builders have done a great job of designing an active adult community within a family oriented community. There is a network of trails linking the neighborhoods, community facilities and shopping centers. The Sundance Active Adult Community borders its public 18 hole golf course and has a full service country club and adjacent fitness center, swimming pool and tennis courts. The Active Adult community is smaller than some of the others in the Phoenix valley, but with the golf course ,2 swimming pools, spa, fitness center, pickle ball and bocce courts and lots of activity groups it compares quite well to the large communities.

The Active Adult Community of Sundance is presently being built by the Meritage builders and LGI Homes. There are more than a dozen different single level floor plans in the community, truly something for every taste with an emphasis on energy efficiency and affordability. The community is located just south of I-10 approximately 6 miles west of the 303 loop. Between Sundance Active Adult Community and the 101 you will find a good assortment of restaurants and shopping. Since the opening in 2002 the growth in the area has been phenomenal and with the completion of the Rte 303, connectivity to major west valley activities is assured.

When a builder has crews available, or he is trying to sell lots in a certain section, or for any number of reasons, he will begin to build a home on the "speculation" that someone will want to buy it. There may or may not be Specs available at any given time. All of the choices that go onto the city permit to build are already made: elevation, left or right garage, patio extensions, garage conversions etc. Depending on the building stage the buyer may have choice in selection of paint, cabinets or flooring and countertops, or the home may be completed and ready for occupancy. It is an opportunity to own a brand new home without the long wait to have it built.